2023 Most Affordable Online Master's in Physical Education

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance (HHP). This program requires completing 32 credit hours, which takes full-time students approximately three to four years. Students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than HHP may be required to complete an additional 18 credit hours of coursework. FHSU has a high acceptance rate of 91% and a 57% graduation rate.

Online students of the HHP graduate program participate in classes via Blackboard, including courses with titles like Sports in American Society, Health Promotion Programming, and Biomechanics. To graduate, FHSU requires the completion of an exam and either a thesis or an internship. This program helps students develop advanced skillsets for jobs within industries such as professional sports, education, and public service.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Kinesiology - Physical Education intended for students with prior teaching certification or a bachelor's degree in exercise science. Full-time students may complete this 30-credit program in just two years. However, this program does not provide physical education certification upon graduation. UNG has an 81% acceptance rate, while just 37% of students graduate.

For this remote degree program, students receive curriculum and instruction through the Desire2Learn learning management system (LMS). Core courses include Analysis of Motor Skills, Obesity Prevalence in Children and Youth, and Trends and Issues in HPE. A three-hour action research project is also required to graduate. Alumni are eligible to pursue advanced physical education and exercise science careers.

Youngstown State University (YSU), a public institution, offers an online Master of Health and Human Services - Physical Education. Students must complete 37 credit hours to graduate, including 10 to 12 hours that are specific to the physical education track. Therefore, it may take full-time students approximately three years to complete the physical education program. YSU accepts 70% of students who apply and has a 38% graduation rate.

Students securely access coursework and instruction through the Blackboard LMS. Program curriculum and instruction aim to provide the skills necessary for career advancement through courses such as Planning and Fiscal Management, Community Health Practice, and Health Behavior. Students must also complete a thesis project or an internship. After graduation, they may progress to supervisory and management positions within the public service sector.

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Physical Education with either a pedagogy or coaching option, depending on students' professional goals. Both tracks require completing 33 credit hours, which full-time students typically finish within a year. Proof of teaching is required for enrollment in either track. The school has a 64% acceptance rate, and 53% of UCM students obtain degrees.

UCM uses Blackboard to deliver curriculum and instruction, allowing students to participate virtually in classes, such as Physical Education for Special Populations, Philosophy and Ethics in Coaching, and Effective Teaching in Physical Education. The curricula offered through the pedagogy and coaching tracks support UCM's experiential learning philosophy in support of advancing participants' teaching careers.

Jacksonville State University (JSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Education, Physical Education - Human Performance. The degree generally takes full-time students two to three years to complete the required 30 credit hours. Students interested in other paths may opt for JSU's Master of Science in Education, Physical Education - P-12 (EdS) or Master of Science in Education, Physical Education - Nutrition. JSU has a 64% acceptance rate and a 47% graduation rate.

Students securely access lessons and instruction through the LMS, Canvas. Program courses are asynchronous and self-paced, including Perceptual Motor Development, Diversity Issues and Trends in Wellness and Sport Studies, and Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology. In addition, students must complete a comprehensive exam before they can graduate. This program helps prepare students for advanced careers as athletics directors, community program directors, and ergonomists.

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (SIUE) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Education in Kinesiology - Physical Education and Coaching Pedagogy. Graduation requires the completion of 30 credit hours, which takes full-time students at least two years. The program may be completed in a flexible format, suiting individual schedules and allowing students to develop their teaching and research skills at their own pace. SIUE has an 85% acceptance rate and a 53% graduation rate.

Students at SIUE utilize the Blackboard LMS to deliver instruction and coursework. Students in the physical education and coaching pedagogy program enroll in the following core classes: Exercise Psychology, Physical Activity and Mental Health, and Analysis of Teaching Behaviors in Sport and Physical Education. Graduation also requires completing an action research project.

Georgia Southern University (Georgia Southern) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Kinesiology - Coaching Education. Remote students may finish this 36-credit program in 14 months if they maintain a full-time schedule. Students interested in other professional opportunities may choose an online Master of Science in Kinesiology - Physical Education or an online Master of Arts in Teaching - Health and Physical Education Grades P-12. Georgia Southern has a 91% acceptance rate, with 51% of students who graduate.

Georgia Southern uses Canvas to deliver curricula asynchronously, though some instructors may require synchronous work. Students in the coaching education program may choose from courses such as Team Dynamics, Sociocultural Foundations in Sports Coaching, and Administrative Issues in Coaching. Graduation also requires completing a practicum. This program helps students prepare for advanced coaching roles or careers within coaching administration.

Chadron State College (CSC) is a public institution offering an online Master of Education Administration in specific subject areas, including physical education for elementary and secondary children. Students must complete 36 credit hours to graduate. Courses last eight weeks, which means that it generally takes full-time students two years to finish. The online MEd program aims to help teachers expand their breadth of K-8-level teaching knowledge, and all who apply are accepted. The graduation rate is 43%.

CSC uses the integrated Sakai LMS to deliver school communications, instruction, and coursework to fully remote students. To graduate, MEd students concentrating on physical education must complete 15 credit hours on this topic and complete a thesis or scholarly project.

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus (ENMU) offers an online Master of Science in Physical Education that focuses on career and business skills development in sports administration. Graduation requires completing 36 credit hours, which typically takes full-time students at least two years. ENMU has a 51% acceptance rate and a 44% graduation rate.

Synchronous classes are delivered via Mediasite, and asynchronous courses are available through the Canvas LMS. Online students in ENMU's physical education graduate program may enroll in courses such as Women's Sport/Wellness Issues, Sport and the Media, Ethics in Sport, and Sport Law and Risk Management. Students can also choose to either write a thesis or produce a capstone project before graduation. Alumni may work in recreation and events management, sports venue/facility management, or professional sports organization marketing.

The University of Arkansas (U of A) is a public institution offering an online Master of Education in Physical Education to students who desire advanced training in this field. This MEd program requires 33 credit hours to graduate for those who complete a thesis and 27 credit hours for all other participants. Full-time students may graduate in just two years. Students must hold a kinesiology degree or a related undergraduate diploma to enroll, and they have a 78% likelihood of being accepted. Additionally, U of A has a 63% graduation rate.

Blackboard delivers curricula to students asynchronously, though faculty may require some synchronous coursework. Courses within the physical education curriculum include Supervision in Physical Education, The Physical Education Curriculum, and Measurement Concepts for K-12 Physical Education Teachers. Graduation also requires completing a comprehensive written exam for all MEd Physical Education students.